Scent-releasing device for dishwasher, dishwasher provided with scent-releasing device, and method for scenting dishwasher

ABSTRACT

A scent-releasing device and related method, said device to be attached onto an inner side of the door of a dishwasher, including a storage chamber for accommodating a fragrance oil and a release chamber having a membrane through which a gas phase of the fragrance oil is able to pass. Wherein, in a first position of the scent-releasing device, the storage chamber and the release chamber are separated from one another, such that no fragrance oil reaches from the storage chamber into the release chamber. Wherein, in a second position of the scent-releasing device, the storage chamber and the scent-releasing device are connected such that fragrance oil reaches from the storage chamber into the release chamber. Wherein, when there is a change in position from the second position to the first position a defined amount of fragrance oil remains in the release chamber.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a scent-releasing device for a dishwasher. The present invention further relates to dishwasher equipped with said scent-releasing device, and a method for scenting the internal space of a dishwasher.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known scent-releasing devices for dishwashers have a storage chamber that is filled with fragrance oil and covered by a fragrance-permeable surface, for example, in the form of a membrane. The membrane is permeable for the gas phase of the fragrance oil (fragrance), but not for the liquid fragrance oil. For the transport and storage of the scent-releasing device, the membrane is enclosed by a removable film, so that no fragrance is released. For use, this film is removed and the thus-activated scent-releasing device is hung in the internal space of the dishwasher. The intensity with which the fragrance is released is constant over the period from the end of a first rinse cycle to the end of a second rinse cycle.

A higher deodorizing performance is desirable when dirty dishes that have been placed in the dishwasher later develop an unpleasant odor in the internal space of the dishwasher up until the next rinse cycle is started. The user will then be disturbed by this odor when the dishwasher is reopened later. There are indeed known scent-releasing devices with which an opening for the discharge of fragrance is adjustable in size. This makes it possible to appropriately alter the release intensity. It is thus possible to achieve higher deodorizing performance with the scent-releasing device; however, so doing leads to increased consumption of fragrance oil. Of course, the opening of the scent-releasing device could also be made larger and then smaller again only temporarily, when so doing is necessary, in order to reduce the consumption of fragrance oil. However, this leads to a greater degree of operating complexity.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention therefore addresses a first problem of providing a scent-releasing device that, on one hand, enables a variable intensity of release of the fragrance into the internal space of the dishwasher, and, on the other hand, also can be handled without great effort or expenditure.

The scent-releasing device according to the present invention is suitable for being mounted on an inner side of the door of the dishwasher. The scent-releasing device comprises a storage chamber for accommodating a fragrance oil, and a release chamber having a membrane that is permeable to a gas phase of the fragrance oil (fragrance). In a first position of the scent-releasing device, the storage chamber and the release chamber are separated from one another, such that no fragrance oil reaches from the storage chamber into the release chamber. In a second position of the scent-releasing device, the storage chamber and the release chamber are connected to one another, such that fragrance oil can reach from the storage chamber into the release chamber. When there is a change in position from the second position to the first position—which can be achieved by closing the opened door—a defined amount of fragrance oil remains in the release chamber.

The present invention is based on the basic concept of automatically filling the release chamber with fragrance oil through opening and closing of the door of the dishwasher. Because opening and closing of the door is usually associated with loading of the dishwasher, the release of fragrance from the release chamber is started or initiated (triggered) by loading of the dishwasher.

The membrane may be designed such that the amount of fragrance exiting the release chamber through the membrane per unit time is substantially larger when the release chamber is filled with fragrance oil than when the release chamber is not filled. Preferably, the amount of fragrance per unit time is 10, 20, or 40 times greater than when the release chamber is not filled. This signifies that filling the release chamber with fragrance oil makes it possible to achieve a significant increase in the intensity of release.

The scent-releasing device may comprise fastening means in order to be fastened onto the door of the dishwasher. It would also be conceivable for the door to comprise appropriate accommodating means for accommodating the scent-releasing device. The accommodating means of the door and the fastening means of the scent-releasing device may then interact together.

In one embodiment, the volume of the storage chamber is 50 to 600 times greater than the volume of the release chamber. This signifies that the release chamber theoretically can be filled with fragrance oil 50 to 600 times by a change in position of the scent-releasing device. Preferably, the volume of the storage chamber is 100 to 300 or 250 to 350 times greater than the volume of the release chamber.

The scent-releasing device may comprise a deep-drawn storage bowl made of plastic, wherein the storage bowl is covered by the membrane. Preferably, an edge of the storage bowl is located in a plane, so that the membrane can be placed flat on the storage bowl and then can be welded or sealed by suitable tools onto the edge of the storage bowl. The scent-releasing device can thus be configured as a blister pack, which is very inexpensive to produce.

A partition having at least one window may be arranged between the membrane and the storage bowl, wherein the partition is spaced apart from the membrane at least in some sections. The partition and the membrane then delimit the release chamber. Through the at least one window, fragrance oil reaches from the storage chamber into the release chamber when the scent-releasing device is located in the second position. The distance between the membrane and sections of the partition may be very small (for example, 0.1 to 1 millimeter).

Preferably, the first position of the scent-releasing device corresponds to a position in which the membrane and the partition run parallel in the vertical direction. The window linking the two chambers is then arranged in the upper region of the release chamber. A lower edge of the window may then define the fill level in the release chamber, when the scent-releasing device is returned to the first position after the release chamber has been filled. The second position may then correspond to a position in which the membrane and the partition run essentially horizontal. In this position, the storage chamber is arranged above the release chamber, such that the force of gravity can cause the fragrance oil to reach from the storage chamber, through the window, into the release chamber.

Preferably, a fragrance-impermeable activation layer is releasably attached to the membrane. This activation layer may be, for example, a film that is removed before use of the scent-releasing device. The fragrance-impermeable activation layer ensures that before the scent-releasing device is used, no fragrance escapes from the scent-releasing device irrespective of the position thereof.

In addition to the release chamber, a base release chamber may be provided. An amount of fragrance released per unit time from the base release chamber may then be substantially smaller than the amount of fragrance released per unit time from the release chamber. Preferably, the release intensity of the base release chamber is less than 30%, 20%, or even 5% relative to the release intensity of the release chamber. This makes it possible to provide a base release of fragrance, which is supplemented by the release of the release chamber that is triggered by loading and is temporary. With such a scent-releasing device, the membrane may be designed so that fragrance only passes through the membrane if the membrane is wetted with liquid fragrance. Thus, when the release chamber is not filled but is filled back up by actuation of the door of the dishwasher, solely the base release chamber ensures a continuous base release of fragrance.

A fragrance-impermeable barrier layer having at least one hole may be adhered or bonded onto the membrane. If, for example, the entire surface of the storage bowl is covered by the membrane, then the effective membrane layer can be adjusted via the barrier layer, in a manner independent of the size and shape of the storage bowl.

In one embodiment, the scent-releasing device is designed so that in a usage position, i.e., when the scent-releasing device is fastened to the inner side of the door, the first position can be achieved by having the door of the dishwasher in a horizontal position, and the second position can be achieved by having the door of the dishwasher in a vertical position.

Another problem to be addressed by the present invention—providing a dishwasher with which it is possible to have a variable intensity of release of fragrance from a scent-releasing device—is solved by the combination of features disclosed herein.

The dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the scent-releasing device described herein. In one embodiment, the door of the dishwasher is hinged on a housing of the dishwasher so as to be rotatable about a horizontal pivot axis. The scent-releasing device is then fastened onto the inner side of the door, and is located in the first position when the door is in a vertical or closed position. The second position of the scent-releasing device occurs when the door is in a horizontal or completely open position. Thus, the release chamber is filled with the fragrance oil from the storage chamber when the door of the dishwasher is opened and located in the horizontal position. When the door is closed, then, only a certain amount of fragrance oil remains in the release chamber. When fragrance has been released from the release chamber and, in association therewith, the fragrance oil in the release chamber is consumed, then, the release chamber can be automatically filled back up for the next loading process by opening and then re-closing the door. A metered amount of fragrance oil remains in the release chamber.

The membrane may be directed toward the inner side of the door when in an installation position of the scent-releasing device. In a preferred embodiment, then, when the door is located in the horizontal position, the storage chamber is arranged above the release chamber so that the force of gravity causes fragrance oil to reach the release chamber. In order to ensure discharge of fragrance through the membrane, a gap greater than 5 mm may be provided between the membrane and the inner side of the door facing the membrane. The gap may be adjusted with spacers or appropriately-configured fastening means or accommodating means.

A method for scenting the internal space of a dishwasher whereby it is possible to have different intensities of fragrance release is also disclosed herein.

The method according to the present invention employs the scent-releasing device disclosed herein, wherein the scent-releasing device is fastened onto the inner side of the door of the dishwasher, and opening and closing of the door of the dishwasher causes a metered amount of fragrance oil to be automatically released from the storage chamber into the release chamber.

The release of the fragrance oil from the storage chamber into the release chamber may occur with a time delay of 1 to 100 seconds. Preferably, the time delay amounts to 3 to 50 seconds or 4 to 10 seconds. Such a time delay can be adjusted, for example, by insertion, between the storage chamber and the release chamber, of a fragrance oil membrane that allows fragrance oil to pass through only with a time delay or at a low rate. It would also be possible to provide a flow-retarding shape in the form of narrow channels through which the fragrance oil can flow only in a delayed manner. For example, it may be provided that the release chamber can then only be essentially completely filled (at least 80% of the volume of the release chamber) if the door of the dishwasher stands open in the horizontal position (in the opened position) for at least five seconds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention shall be described in greater detail with reference to embodiments depicted in the drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a dishwasher provided with a scent-releasing device;

FIG. 2 illustrates the dishwasher of FIG. 1, with the door open;

FIG. 3 illustrates a section of an embodiment of the scent-releasing device;

FIGS. 4a, 4b, and 4c and 4d illustrate the process of filling a release chamber of the scent-releasing device; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a section of another embodiment of the scent-releasing device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a dishwasher 10 having a door 11 that is fastened to a housing 13 via swivel joints (not shown) so as to be able to pivot about a horizontal axis of rotation 12. A scent-releasing device 20 is fastened by means of accommodating means 16 to an inner side 15 of the door 11 that faces the internal space. An underside 21 of the scent-releasing device 20 is turned to the inner side 15 of the door, wherein a gap remains between the underside 21 and the inner side 15. This gap can be, for example, 2 to 8 millimeters. It should be noted that the scent-releasing device 20 in FIG. 1 is not depicted to scale.

FIG. 1 illustrates the door 11 in a closed position. The door extends then in the vertical direction. In this closed position, the scent-releasing device 20—which has been attached onto the inner side 15 of the door 11—in a first or vertical position. The flat underside 21 also extends in the vertical direction so as to be parallel to the inner side 15 of the door 11.

FIG. 2 illustrates the dishwasher 10 with the door 11 opened. In contrast to the closed position, the door 11 has been rotated 90° downward, so as to now be located in a horizontal plane. Due to the change in position of the door 11, the position of the scent-releasing device 20 has also changed. The scent-releasing device now assumes a second or horizontal position. In this second position, the underside extends in the horizontal direction and is oriented downward. When the door 11 is opened, dirty dishes to be cleaned can be put away in drawers (not shown here) with compartments, baskets, and the like. After the dishwasher has been loaded, the door 11 is closed again, i.e., brought into the position shown in FIG. 1. Considerable time may pass until a rinse cycle is started. During this time, the dirty dishes may provide for a very unpleasant odor in the dishwasher 10.

FIG. 3 illustrates a section of an embodiment of the scent-releasing device 20. Components or features that are similar or identical to the components and features of FIGS. 1 and 2 are provided with the same reference signs. This also applies, mutatis mutandis, to all other drawings.

The scent-releasing device 20, which is found in the first or vertical position according to FIG. 1, has a membrane 22 on the underside 21 thereof. The membrane closes off a storage bowl 23 that opens on the underside 21. The storage bowl may entail a plastic part that is thermoformed or produced by deep-drawing. The storage bowl 23 then has an approximately trapezoidal enlargement 24 that delimits a storage chamber 25. The enlargement may also take another form, e.g., a bulbous shape or the shape of a crescent. An indented section 26 is provided above the storage chamber 25.

A partition 27 arranged between the membrane 22 and the storage bowl 23 extends, like the membrane 22, from a first—or, in the depiction in FIG. 3, lower—edge 28 to a second or upper edge 29 of the storage bowl 23. The edges 28, 29 lie in the same plane. The partition has cranked ends 30, 31 that lie with one side flat on the edges 28, 29 of the storage bowl 23 and with the other side flat on the membrane 22. The edges 28, 29, the cranked ends 30, 31, and the membrane 22 are welded or sealed together. The partition 27 is preferably also made out of plastic and can be produced by deep-drawing.

Apart from the edge region, the cranked ends produce a distance 32 between the partition 27 and the membrane 22 that constitutes a release chamber 33. The release chamber 33 is thus delimited by the membrane 22 and the partition 27. The release chamber extends over almost the entire length of the storage bowl 23, i.e., from the lower edge 28 to the upper edge 29.

The partition 27 has a window 34 in the region of the indented section. The window 34 constitutes a connectivity between the storage chamber 25 and the release chamber 33. The effects of the scent-releasing device 20 and the individual components/chambers thereof shall be described on the basis of FIGS. 4a -d.

FIG. 4a depicts the scent-releasing device 20 in the first position, so as to thus be comparable to FIGS. 1 and 3. The storage chamber 25 is then filled with a volatile fragrance oil 35. The release chamber 33, however, is not filled with the fragrance oil 35.

A gas phase of the fragrance oil 26, which is called a fragrance for brevity and can be distributed into the indented region 26 as well as—due to the window 34—into the empty release chamber 33, can emerge through the membrane 22 to the exterior, i.e., into the internal space 14 of the dishwasher 10 when the door 11 thereof is closed. However, the amount of fragrance that emerges to the exterior through the membrane 22 having not been wetted with fragrance oil 26 should be comparatively small in comparison to the amount of fragrance when the membrane is wetted or is directly in contact with the fragrance oil 26. It may also be assumed, approximately, that the release of fragrance through the membrane 22 is negligible in the position depicted in FIG. 4a and when the release chamber 33 is not filled. It should be noted here that with the appropriate selection of material and layer thickness, the membrane can be designed so as to have a reduced, yet still noticeable release of fragrance in the state in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4b illustrates the scent-releasing device 20 in the second position, i.e., in the position that corresponds to an opened dishwasher 10 according to FIG. 2. The force of gravity distributes the fragrance oil 35 into the storage chamber 25, the indented region 26, and the release chamber 33. The fragrance oil 36 then flows from the storage chamber 25, via the indented region 26 and the window 34, into the release chamber 33. The time required to fill the release chamber may be affected by the shape of the indented region 26, the dimensioning of the window 34 (for example, shape and cross-section of flow), and the flow obstacles—for example, in the form of a sieve, a flow-through membrane, or the like—that may be arranged in the window 34. Thus, the scent-releasing device 20 may, for example, be designed such that a significant amount of fragrance oil 26 first reaches the release chamber 33 five seconds after the opening of the door 11 (corresponds to the change in position from FIGS. 4a to 4b ), and the release chamber is completely filled after 20 seconds. This time delay prevents the release chamber 33 from being (completely) filled during an only brief opening of the dishwasher 10. FIG. 4b shows the release chamber completely filled, irrespective of this possible time delay.

The position shown in FIG. 3 and the depicted fill levels correspond to those of FIG. 3. Now, if the scent-releasing device 20 is loaded—which takes a certain amount of time—and thereafter returned to the vertical position by closing of the door 11, then a part of the fragrance oil flows out from the release chamber 33 back into the storage chamber 25 (see FIG. 4d ). However, a certain part remains in the release chamber, the quantity of which depends on the position of a lower edge 36 of the window 34. The lower edge 36 thus defines a maximum fill level in the vertical position of the scent-releasing device 20. Accordingly, only a metered amount of liquid fragrance is located in the release chamber.

FIG. 4c illustrates the scent-releasing device 20 in the second position, i.e., in the position that corresponds to an opened dishwasher 10 according to FIG. 2. Though only a lower region of the membrane 22 is wetted with fragrance oil 35 in FIG. 4d , the membrane may be designed with capillary forces so as to become saturated with fragrance oil over the entire length thereof, as far as the upper edge 29 of the storage bowl 23. This makes it possible to have an increased release of fragrance over the entire surface of the membrane. Only when the liquid fragrance 35 within the release chamber is completely consumed (see FIG. 4a ) is there a significant decrease in the release of fragrance from the scent-releasing device 20. If at all, there remains only a small base release, due to the gaseous phase of the fragrance oil present in the storage chamber 25, which can emerge to the exterior through the membrane 22. If the membrane is designed so that the fragrance is released only when the membrane is wetted with fragrance oil, then no more fragrance is released when the release chamber 33 (FIG. 4a ) is completely emptied.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the scent-releasing device 20. The basic structure of the scent-releasing device 20 shown here corresponds to the scent-releasing device 20 of FIG. 3. In addition to the cranked ends 30, 31, the partition 27 has another recessed region 37 that lies in the same plane as the ends 30, 31. The membrane 22 rests against the partition 27, or, more precisely, against the ends 30, 31 thereof and against the recessed region 37. A fragrance-impermeable barrier layer 38 is provided on a side of the membrane 22 that faces away from the partition 27 or is on the outside. The barrier layer 38 has two holes, namely, a first hole 39 and a second hole 40. In the depiction in FIG. 5, which shows the scent-releasing device 20 in the first or vertical position, the first hole 39 constitutes a lower hole and the second hole constitutes an upper hole. In addition to the window 34, an additional window 41 is provided in the partition.

The recessed region 37 of the partition 27 divides the intermediate space between the partition 27 and the membrane 22 into two chambers. The upper chamber corresponds to the release chamber 33. As stated above, the upper chamber can be filled by pivoting the scent-releasing device 20 into the horizontal position. Configured below the release chamber 33, there is a base release chamber 42 that, like the release chamber 33, can be filled by pivoting the scent-releasing device 20 into the horizontal position. Then, fragrance oil flows from the storage chamber 25 into the base release chamber 42.

Due to the substantially smaller hole 39, however, the amount of fragrance released via the base release chamber per unit time is significantly smaller than the amount of fragrance that is released via the release chamber 33 through the hole 40. The scent-releasing device 20 of FIG. 5 thus makes it possible to achieve a high-intensity fragrance release that is triggered by loading but diminishes after a certain length of time. In addition, the base release chamber 42 provides a lower-intensity base release. The lower-intensity base release does, however, last significantly longer than the release of fragrance through the release chamber 33.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

-   -   10 Dishwasher     -   11 Door     -   12 Axis of rotation     -   13 Housing     -   14 Internal space     -   15 Inner side     -   16 Accommodation     -   20 Scent-releasing device     -   21 Underside     -   22 Membrane     -   23 Storage bowl     -   24 Enlargement     -   25 Storage chamber     -   26 Section     -   27 Partition     -   28 Edge     -   29 Edge     -   30 End     -   31 End     -   32 Distance     -   33 Release chamber     -   34 Window     -   35 Fragrance oil     -   36 Lower edge     -   37 Recessed region     -   38 Barrier layer     -   39 First hole     -   40 Second hole     -   41 Additional window     -   42 Base release chamber 

What is claimed is:
 1. A scent-releasing device to be attached onto an inner side of the door of a dishwasher, comprising a storage chamber for accommodating a fragrance oil and a release chamber having a membrane through which a gas phase of the fragrance oil is able to pass, wherein, in a first position of the scent-releasing device, the storage chamber and the release chamber are separated from one another, such that no fragrance oil reaches from the storage chamber into the release chamber; wherein, in a second position of the scent-releasing device, the storage chamber and the scent-releasing device are connected such that fragrance oil reaches from the storage chamber into the release chamber; and wherein, when there is a change in position from the second position to the first position—which can be achieved by closing the opened door—a defined amount of fragrance oil remains in the release chamber.
 2. The scent-releasing device according to claim 1, wherein the volume of the storage chamber is 50 to 600 times greater than the volume of the release chamber.
 3. The scent-releasing device according to claim 1, comprising a storage bowl made of plastic and covered by the membrane.
 4. The scent-releasing device according to claim 3, wherein a partition having at least one window is arranged between the membrane and the storage bowl, wherein the partition is spaced apart from the membrane at least in some sections.
 5. The scent-releasing device according to claim 1, wherein a fragrance-impermeable activation layer is releasably attached to the membrane.
 6. The scent-releasing device according to claim 1, wherein a base release chamber is provided, wherein an amount of fragrance released from the base release chamber per unit time is significantly smaller than an amount of fragrance released from the release chamber per unit time.
 7. The scent-releasing device according to claim 1, wherein a fragrance-impermeable barrier layer having at least one hole is adhered onto the membrane.
 8. The scent-releasing device according to claim 1, wherein a usage position of the scent-releasing device, the first position can be achieved by having the door of the dishwasher in a horizontal position, and the second position can be achieved by having the door of the dishwasher in a vertical position.
 9. A dishwasher, comprising the scent-releasing device according to claim
 1. 10. The dishwasher according to claim 9, wherein the door of the dishwasher is hinged onto the housing of the dishwasher so as to be able to pivot about a horizontal axis of rotation, wherein the scent-releasing device is located in the second position when in the vertical position of the door and is located in the first position when in the horizontal position of the door.
 11. The dishwasher according to claim 9, wherein the membrane is oriented toward the inner side of the door when in an installation position of the scent-releasing device.
 12. A method for scenting the internal space of a dishwasher having a door and the scent-releasing device according to claim 1, wherein the scent-releasing device is fastened to the inner side of the door of the dishwasher, and opening and closing of the door causes a metered amount of fragrance oil to be automatically released from the storage chamber into the release chamber.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the release of the fragrance oil from the storage chamber into the release chamber takes place with a time delay of 1 to 100 seconds. 